Crystal Dike
The air above Denmark has fallen silent. In a stunning move that underscores rising fears ahead of the EU summit, the Danish government has imposed a total ban on civilian drone flights, warning that violators could face prison sentences of up to two years.
Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen delivered the announcement on Sunday, September 28, framing the extraordinary measure as a shield against “foreign drones creating uncertainty and disruption.” The ban will last until October 3, covering the tense days surrounding the summit.
The decision follows a cascade of mysterious drone incursions that have unsettled the nation. Since September 22, unidentified drones have hovered over sensitive military sites, forcing the temporary shutdown of airports in Copenhagen and Oslo, and causing chaos at Aalborg and Billund.
Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the incidents as nothing short of a “hybrid attack,” part of what he called a deliberate “systematic operation.” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen struck an ominous tone, saying investigators could not rule out Russian involvement. Moscow, for its part, has flatly denied the charges, declaring it “firmly rejects” any suggestion of responsibility.
The threats have jolted Europe into action. Ten EU defence ministers recently signed off on plans to erect a “drone wall” stretching across the continent, while NATO confirmed it has increased vigilance in the volatile Baltic region.
But in Copenhagen, the stakes feel higher than ever. Denmark, holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, is under intense pressure to secure the gathering. Allies have rushed to its aid: Sweden has sent cutting-edge radar systems and anti-drone units, while France has dispatched a specialist helicopter and a 35-member strike team of experts.
As the EU summit looms, the Danish capital is being transformed into a fortress. Roads are tightening, skies are closing, and every precaution is being taken. To many, the drone ban is more than a safety measure — it is a warning that the world’s most powerful leaders are about to meet under the shadow of invisible threats buzzing just beyond the horizon.